You can take your guitar sounds to a whole new dimension with a wave of your foot. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it? This review is aimed at anyone who wants to get the most out of their music and take their creativity to a new level. Wah wah pedals are just the right tool for this and make your strings sing and cry in a wide variety of nuances. But what exactly is a wah wah pedal and what can it do?
What is a wah wah pedal?
A wah wah pedal is an effects device that is primarily used for the electric guitar to modulate the sound and create more groovy, expressive sounds. You can use it to create a filtering, frequency-changing effect that resembles the ‘human sound’ – hence the name ‘wah wah’. The effect is created by adjusting the filter by moving the foot pedal. When you depress the pedal, the centre frequency increases and a brilliant, assertive sound is produced, which is often compared to a ‘wah’. If you take pressure off the pedal, the centre frequency decreases and the sound becomes darker and more reserved, which is often associated with a ‘woh’. Sounds exciting? Then let’s talk about the functions.
The functions of a wah wah pedal
A wah wah pedal offers a variety of functions that allow you to modulate your sound in many different ways. You use the pedal to regulate the centre frequency. You can choose between a large centre boost and an almost complete cut. Depending on the model, you can also adjust the bandwidth of the filter and the tone colour in different stages. Some models offer additional functions such as a ‘Boost’ switch for additional distortion or a ‘Q’ control for controlling the intensity of the wah effect. But what are the differences between the pedals in detail?
Which wah wah pedals are available?
Different models of wah wah pedals offer different functions and sound options. Popular examples include the Vox V847, the Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 and the Morley Classic Wah. While the Vox V847 impresses with its warm vintage sound, the Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 focuses on a robust construction and a wide range of modulation options. In addition to a true bypass circuit for noise-free signal transmission, the Morley Classic Wah also offers an auto-return function, which means that the pedal automatically returns to its original position when you take your foot off the pedal.
We have summarised the details in a clear table to make your choice easier.
| Vox V847 | Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 | Morley Classic Wah | |
| Sound characteristics | Warm vintage sound | Robust construction, versatile modulation options | Auto-return function, noise-free true bypass circuit |
| Housing | All-metal | All metal | Robust plastic construction |
| Additional functions | AC adapter, rubber pedal grip | AC adapter, true bypass | Optoelectronic operation, LED indicator |
Technical details of Vox V847
The Vox V847 wah wah pedal is characterised by its warm, harmonious vintage tone. This is made possible by the original circuitry from the 60s. The robust all-metal housing is equipped with a rubber pedal grip and an AC mains socket to make performance easier. The pedal itself is equipped with an additional voltage indicator. This will give your guitar sound a very special vintage sound.
Technical details of the Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95
The Dunlop Cry Baby impresses with its variability. The robust all-metal housing contains a true bypass, a convenient pedal and various modulation options. You can choose between different sound colours from elegant and powerful to raw and hard. An AC adapter provides the necessary power supply.
Details of Morley Classic Wah
The Morley Classic Wah pedal is a hybrid among wah pedals. It offers an optoelectronic mode of operation that ensures consistent sound quality and durability. With the auto-return function, the pedal automatically returns to its original position as soon as you take your foot off the pedal. The noise-free true bypass pedal also has an LED indicator light. Although the housing is made of plastic, it is very robust and suitable for stage use.
Conclusion
Your choice of the ideal wah wah pedal depends on your individual taste in sound and your requirements.All three models presented here offer their own advantages and specifications.Whether you prefer the warm vintage sound of the Vox V847, the robust variety of the Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 or the comfortable user-friendliness of the Morley Classic Wah, you can be sure that you are choosing a wah wah pedal that will add a new dimension to your sound.Think carefully about which pedal best suits your style and consider testing different pedals before you buy.In any case, with a wah wah pedal you will enter a whole new world of guitar sounds and take your music to a new level.